Happy 4th of July!
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought a resolution to the floor:
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
There was much debate. More time was needed for the delegates...